Buntline Strength

[Brion Toss]

Hi again,
Yes on the X, no on the VPC; knots, including the Buntline, weaken HM lines too much. As for whether the hitch might be preferable to a splice for non-HM lines, I still usually want a splice. It is less likely to chafe, or to hang up on things, and it's prettier too. As for the thickening of the line, if this is an issue in the sheave, either the line is too big, or the sheave too small, or the taper inadequate, or some combination.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss